Knox grabbed a chair, flipped it around, and straddled it. “I’d like to meet ‘em.”
“Don’t like the look of what was happening up there.” Bax stared into space . “Felt like it was more than just a set with noobs.”
“They get the music,” Linx said. “They perform for the sound, not because of what it can do for them.”
Not for the payout it could bring.
“You’re saying that’s what I do?” Bax asked.
Hans and Knox had the decency to look troubled at Linx’s words.
Neither said anything for a long beat.
Finally, Hans piped up. “Talked with the guys. We’re ready to get back to work.”
“Oh, well, then by all means, let’s get back to work.” Linx stretched his arms wide with what he hoped was clearly mock enthusiasm.
Bax frowned. “Figured we’d come tell you in person. Didn’t expect to find you having extracurricular fun with another group.”
Mach and Tanner were more than another group. They were what making music was supposed to be.
Linx took in Bax and Knox for the first time in a long time. And he got it. Saw it.
Dimefront became something other than music a long time ago, and the path they’d been on led them to a place he was not digging.
He swallowed. Hard.
He wanted Dimefront more than anything. At least, that’s what he’d been telling himself. But he would not keep dancing this dance with these guys.
“If we’re going to keep taking a hiatus from Dimefront, I’m going to have to find a new gig.” He pushed past the ache in his chest and said the words. They needed to be said. The group needed to decide where they were going from here.
“You should know, Em left him.” Hans folded his hands together on the table, keeping his focus on Linx. “You all have been doing your shit, and Bax’s world collapsed.”
How the hell had Linx not heard about this? How was it not all over the tabloids?
He looked to Bax. All the fire had drained from Bax’s attempt at a confrontation. He nodded.
Linx ran his hand over his hair. “Fuck, man. I’m sorry…”
“Just cut him some slack, yeah?” Hans asked.
Knox kicked back in his chair until it was on two legs instead of four. “There’s shit he needs to catch you up on.”
Clearly. Man, that sucked. Bax was into Em, and she was all in with him.
“I’m sorry she took off.” Linx moved forward and clapped Bax on the shoulder, holding his hand there in solidarity with his bandmate. “That fuckin’ sucks.”
“We’ve all got crap to deal with.” Bax looked up then. The vacant look in his eyes was haunting. “A lot can change in a couple of months.”
“You think we can call a truce on whatever this is with you guys?” Hans asked. “Because I don’t like it.”
Bax nodded. “I’m game for a truce.”
“When we go back to work, we need a new agreement.” Linx dropped to a chair across from Knox. “Something that spells out vacations, time off, all that. So I’m not stuck twirling my thumbs while you assholes do your own thing.”
“Fair.” Knox nodded.
Bax finally relaxed a little. “Fair.”
